Practical strategies to improve foot pad quality in commercial broilers
| Researcher: Bench |
| Collaborators: Korver, Crowe |
| Institution: University of Alberta |
| Timeframe: 2013-2015 |
| Funding: Alberta Chicken Producers, Funding applications pending: ALMA, CPRC/Poultry Cluster |
- Keywords: Broilers, perches, bedding, foot pads, behaviour, welfare, processing, assessment
Benchmarks how wet litter interactions impact broiler foot pad quality and evaluates current methods used to assess foot pad quality. On-farm component investigates commercial factors which contribute to exceptional or poor footpad quality (along with assessment methods). 35d controlled trial at the PRC focuses on bedding blend and vertical space strategies which minimize broiler contact with wet litter. Utilizes simple, yet effective, new approaches to evaluating and minimizing broiler contact with wet litter.
Effect of perch design and crude protein levels on broiler foot pad quality
| Researcher: Bench |
| Collaborators: Beltranena |
| Institution: University of Alberta |
| Timeframe: 2011-2012 |
| Funding: ARD |
- Keywords: Broilers, foot pads, welfare, behaviour, perches, crude protein
35d controlled trial at the PRC focusing on vertical space strategies which minimize broiler contact with wet litter and the effect of crude protein levels on foot pad lesion development in broilers.
Investigating Methods of Assessing Bird Wetness as a Means to Determine Fitness for Transport
| Researcher: Crowe, Classen |
| Collaborators: - |
| Institution: University of Saskatchewan |
| Timeframe: 2011-2014 |
| Funding: NSERC Collaborative Research Grant, Canadian Poultry Research Council, Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan |
- Keywords: Broilers, transport, Feather Wetness, Moisture Sensing Devices
There are many issues facing the broiler industry when transporting broilers during the cold Canadian winters. One of those issues is the transport of broilers with damp or wet feathers. It is thought that the insulative value of the feathers is decreased when the feathers become wet, thus making the broilers more vulnerable to cold exposure. The objective of this experiment is to develop a method of assessing the amount of moisture held within the feathers of broilers prior to shipping. Using moisture sensing devices that are commercially available but used to detect moisture in other materials (i.e. bales of hay, leaves, wood), the moisture held within the feathers will be assessed. The initial testing will be conducted on a simulated broiler chicken and will be used to determine which of the sensing devices are the most accurate. The accuracy of the best-performing device(s) will be validated on approximately 20 producer farms located throughout Saskatchewan. This research will be pivotal in the next phase of research, which will develop guidelines that the broiler industry can use to determine if the birds can be safely transported.
Impact of daylength on the welfare and productivity of heavy broilers
| Researcher: Classen |
| Collaborators: Schwean-Lardner |
| Institution: University of Saskatchewan |
| Timeframe: 2011-2012 |
| Funding: Aviagen Inc. |
- Keywords: -
Work has recently been completed examining the impact of a range of practical daylengths on productivity and welfare of commercial broilers. The data demonstrated that near-constant photoperiods have a detrimental effect on the welfare and production traits of birds within a range of 31-49 d of age. This data have since been used as a guide for a Primary Breeders lighting recommendations throughout the world. Although a wide range of ages were used in this work, the data to 49 d of age was limited. The current project will use these same daylengths (14L:10D, 17L:7D, 20L:4D and 23L:1D) for broiler production in two flocks of approximately 5600 birds, both raised to 49 d of age. Data to be measured will include growth and feed consumption, behavioural response, mortality levels and causes, flock uniformity, muscle characteristics, tissue characteristics, and others.
A comparison of metabolomics, corticosterone and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio in assessing stress in broiler chickens reared under 4 different photoperiods
| Researcher: Machin |
| Collaborators: Premkumar (grad student), Classen, Schwean-Lardner |
| Institution: University of Saskatchewan |
| Timeframe: 2009-2012 |
| Funding: Saskatchewan Chicken Industry Development Fund |
- Keywords: broiler chickens, stress, animal welfare
Light is an important management technique in broiler production. Lighting regimes have the potential to modulate various behavioral and physiological pathways and therefore may have significant effects on broiler production and welfare. Identification of stress in the poultry industry has been done using various physiological endpoints but the two most accepted indicators of stress are elevated corticosterone (CORT) and increased circulating H/L ratios. However, lack of consistency between studies has resulted in scepticism when using them to quantify animal welfare in the poultry industry. Utilization of 1-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) can provide insightful mechanistic information on effects of stressors by simultaneously measuring endogenous metabolites. Chicks were placed into eight rooms without sex differentiation and lighting was set at 23 hours light (L): 1 hour dark (D) with a minimum of 40 lux intensity (as bright as the rooms can be) for the first 7 days. On day 7, rooms were set at two replications of: (a) 1Lux (1lx), (b) 10Lux (10lx), (c) 20Lux (20lx), and (d) 40Lux (40Lx) for the remainder of the study. Our objectives were to compare the use of H/L ratio, CORT and metabolomics in assessment of stress and also to compare results with measures of welfare (lameness and behaviour). Blood samples were taken weekly and analysed for H/L ratio, CORT and subjected to NMR spectrometry for metabolic profiles (metabolomics).
A comparison of metabolomics, corticosterone and heterophil:lymphocyte ratio in assessing stress in broiler chickens reared under 4 different photoperiods
| Researcher: Machin |
| Collaborators: Premkumar (grad student), Classen, Schwean-Lardner |
| Institution: University of Saskatchewan |
| Timeframe: 2009-2012 |
| Funding: Saskatchewan Chicken Industry Development Fund |
- Keywords: broiler chickens, stress, animal welfare
Light is an important management technique in broiler production. Lighting regimes have the potential to modulate various behavioral and physiological pathways and therefore may have significant effects on broiler production and welfare. Identification of stress in the poultry industry has been done using various physiological endpoints but the two most accepted indicators of stress are elevated corticosterone (CORT) and increased circulating H/L ratios. However, lack of consistency between studies has resulted in scepticism when using them to quantify animal welfare in the poultry industry. Utilization of 1-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) can provide insightful mechanistic information on effects of stressors by simultaneously measuring endogenous metabolites. Chicks were placed without sex differentiation into each room and lighting to 7 days of age was set at 23 hours light (L): 1 hour dark (D) with a minimum of 20 lux intensity (as bright as the rooms can be). At 7 days, rooms were set at two replications of: (a) 23L, (b) 20L, (c) 17L, and (d) 14L with a minimum light intensity of 8 lux for the remainder of the study. Our objectives were to compare the use of H/L ratio, CORT and metabolomics in assessment of stress and also to compare results with measures of welfare (lameness and behaviour). Blood samples were taken weekly and analysed for H/L ratio, CORT and subjected to NMR spectrometry for metabolic profiles (metabolomics).
Comparative evaluation of blood corticosterone, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as measures of stress in broiler chickens
| Researcher: Machin |
| Collaborators: Premkumar (grad student) |
| Institution: University of Saskatchewan |
| Timeframe: 2009-2012 |
| Funding: Saskatchewan Chicken Industry Development Fund |
- Keywords: broiler chickens, stress, animal welfare
Stress can be defined as any event that alters physiological homeostasis. Any event that elicits a response (either behavioral or physiological) can be considered a “stressor.” The “stress response”, is an evolved trait that allows an animal to deal with changes or conditions within its environment. Proper response to a stressor can be beneficial in life threatening situations; however, chronic or repeated exposure can have marked deleterious effects on reproduction, behavior, metabolism and immunocompetence. Stressors can be events or environmental conditions. Identification of stress in the poultry industry has been done using various physiological endpoints but the two most accepted indicators of stress are elevated corticosterone (CORT) and increased circulating H/L ratios. However, lack of consistency between studies has resulted in skepticism when using them to quantify animal welfare in the poultry industry. Utilization of 1-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) can provide insightful mechanistic information on effects of stressors by simultaneously measuring endogenous metabolites. The objective of this study was to compare H/L ratio, CORT and metabolomics in measuring stress in broilers fed exogenous CORT (30 mg/kg diet) and to identify potential biomarkers of stress using NMR.
Engineering, animal welfare, and meat quality considerations of broiler transportation in a heated and ventilated vehicle
| Researcher: Crowe |
| Collaborators: Classen, Shand |
| Institution: University of Saskatchewan |
| Timeframe: Completed |
| Funding: AAFC, NSERC, Industry |
- Keywords: broiler chickens, transport, ventilation, meat quality, animal welfare
Broiler welfare challenges occur when transporting a large number of chickens in varied ambient conditions. Previous research has shown that broilers experience non-uniform temperature and humidity during transport. During Canadian winter, both hot and cold pockets occur concurrently on common commerical 53ft poultry trailers. To address this concern, the University of Saskachewan developed a unique heated and actively ventilated test trailer that provided drier and more uniform thermal conditions. The focus of this study is to quantify and evaluate the effects of transport environmental conditions specific to the Canadian winter on broiler welfare and meat quality. The first component of the study will quantify welfare and meat quality of broilers in the heated and ventilated trailer versus conditions on commercial trailers over various climatic conditions. The second component will be set in a test chamber to study the combined effects of cold temperature, time, and lairage. Data will be collected using 3-D thermal mapping and selected deep core body temperature as well as physiological, metabolic, and/or biochemical analyses. Results will help define optimal parameters for the test trailer and help industry set safe boundary conditions for transport.
Control of IBD in broilers
| Researcher: Gomis |
| Collaborators: Tikoo, Ojkic |
| Institution: VIDO University of Saskatchewan, University of Guelph |
| Timeframe: 2009-2012 |
| Funding: SCUDF, NSERC |
- Keywords: IBD, Fabricius bursa, broilers, vaccine program, variant strains
Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an acute and highly contagious viral disease of immature chickens. It is characterized by lymphocyte destruction in the Fabricius bursa (BF) and damages the immune system causing immunosuppression. The IBD virus is resistant to many disinfectants and environmental factors so that once a poultry house becomes contaminated it tends to infect subsequent flocks. Effective IBD prevention and control programs involve both broiler and broiler breeder vaccination programs in addition to an effective barn cleaning and disinfection program. Despite these efforts, control of IBD is complicated by new variant strains present in Saskatchewan barns. Varient strains do not cause clinical disease but may induce severe immunosuppression. Current IBD vaccines used in Canada are based on American strains and their effectiveness in Canadian strains has not yet been investigated. This study aims to identify proper vaccination programs in broilers and parent flocks, and reduce immunosuppression and associated secondary diseases. It is also hoped that preventing secondary bacterial diseases associated with poor immunity will minimize antibiotic use and the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Effect of daylength on physiological and behavioural rhythms in broilers
| Researcher: Schwean-Lardner |
| Collaborators: Classen, Fancher |
| Institution: VIDO University of Saskatchewan, University of Saskatchewan |
| Timeframe: Completed |
| Funding: - |
- Keywords: daylength, behaviour rhythm, melatonin, broiler, flock synchrony
The impact of daylength (14h, 17h, 20h, and 23h) on melatonin and behavioural rhythms was studied in Ross x Ross 308 male broilers. Blood samples were collected to provide serum for RIA melatonin analysis. Behaviour was recorded using infrared cameras scan sampling in 10min intervals. Birds reared on 14h, 17h, and 20h daylength showed a relationship between melatonin and time of day (high during the dark phase and low during the light phase), which suggests flock synchrony. No relationship was found between birds raised in 23h light suggesting unsynchronized free-running rhythms. No distinct behaviour activities occurred during the dark phase except for birds raised in 14h light where stretching and feeding occurred before the light phase commenced. Birds reared on 14h, 17h, and 20h daylength showed linear relationships between behaviour and time during the light phase: walking, standing, feeding, and drinking peaked at the start and end of the light phase. Inactive resting occurred at the onset and just prior to the end of the light phase; and preening and dustbathing peaked towards the centre. The melatonin and behavioural data suggest that flocks in 23h light do not develop synchronized circadian rhythms. Sleep fragmentation, a form of sleep deprivation, may result from scattered behavioural activity.
The effect of graded hours of daylength on broiler behaviour
| Researcher: Schwean-Lardner |
| Collaborators: Classen, Fancher |
| Institution: University of Saskatchewan |
| Timeframe: Completed |
| Funding: - |
- Keywords: daylength, broiler, exercise, comfort, feeding, investigative behaviour
Traditionally, broiler producers assumed that using long daylengths allowed maximum feeding time resulting in a maximum growth rate. We now know that modern commercial broilers to not react to long daylengths in this manner, in fact long daylengths reduce growth rates for birds. There has been preliminary evidence that lighting length can also impact behaviour. This study ran experiments of broilers at two different age groups: 27-28days and 42-43days in lighting programs of 14h, 17h, 20h, and 23h to test exercise, nutritive, investigative, and comfort behaviours. Behaviour was recorded with infrared cameras every 20min. Results show that exercise behaviours (running) decreased with increasing lighting regimes: linear for 27-28d and quadratic for 42-43d. No running was seen at either age group in 23h lighting. Nutritive behaviours were also influenced by daylength. Feeding was affected in a quadratic relationship: birds spent the most time by the feeder at 17h and the lowest at 23h. Drinking time was reduced by daylength in older birds but had no affect on younger birds. Investigative and comfort behaviours had mixed influences. Preening was the lowest for birds reared in 23h light in both young (linear) and older (quadratic) broilers. Leg and wing stretching decreased with lighting duration in older birds only (linear), while the relationship of foraging behaviour in 23h light was significantly lowest for younger birds only (quadratic). Dustbathing decreased linearly with increased daylength and did not occur at all in older broilers reared in 23h light.
Effect of lighting programs on leg weakness and bird welfare in modern commercial broilers
| Researcher: Classen |
| Collaborators: Schwean-Lardner, Gomis, Crowe, Livingston |
| Institution: University of Saskatchewan |
| Timeframe: Completed |
| Funding: CPRC, NSERC/AAFC |
- Keywords: broiler, darkness, leg weakness, age, gait score, force plate, behaviour, economics, assessment
Lighting regimes that include a period of darkness (rest) have been suggested as a means to improve broiler welfare. The project aims to assess the effects of darkness on leg weakness in broilers at various ages. Specifically, we aim to find the length of continuous darkness necessary to reduce leg weakness in broilers, to define the effects of age for darkness initiation, to determine if gait score is a reliable measurement of leg pain, to evaluate force place technology for leg weakness, to find the relationship between leg weakness and broiler behaviour, and lastly to research the economic effects of extended darkness lighting programs. To make the results of this research useable in practice, we also plan to develop a means to assess leg weakness on the farm.Summary retrieved from CPRC.
Impact of light intensity on broiler live production, processing characteristics, behaviour and welfare
| Researcher: Classen |
| Collaborators: Deep, Schwean-Lardner, Fancher, Crowe, Knezacek |
| Institution: University of Saskatchewan |
| Timeframe: Completed |
| Funding: Aviagen |
- Keywords: broiler, light intensity, health, productivity, well being, rhythms
This study investigated the effect of light intensity (1, 10, 20 and 40 lux) on production, processing characteristics, and welfare of broilers raised to 35 days. All chicks were exposed to 40 lux light intensity and 23 hours of light for the first 7 days. Thereafter, chicks experienced one of the four light intensity treatments in a 17 hour daylength. Body weight, feed consumption, melatonin level, behaviour, and skeletal, foot pad, and ocular health were monitored. Results found that broiler live production was unaffected by light intensity. As a percentage of live weight, carcass, thigh, and drum yield decreased linearly with increasing light intensity. Also, as a percentage of live weight, the 1 lux treatment resulted in heavier wings. The broilers in the 1 lux treatment rested more, and had reduced foraging, preening, dust-bathing, stretching and wing-flapping behaviours compared to those reared in the other light intensities during the 24h and 17h light phases. They also had heavier and larger eyes. Light intensity did not affect circadian behavioural rhythms (24h period), behavioural patterns (17h light period), diurnal rhythms of serum melatonin, and skeletal health. However, ulcerative foot pad lesions decreased linearly with increasing light intensity. In conclusion, increased ulcerative foot pad lesions, ocular dimensions and altered behavioural expression at 1 lux light intensity are indicators of reduced broiler welfare.
Transportation of Animals for Slaughter in Canada: Epidemiological analysis of slaughterplant data to identify risk factors for mortality of broiler chickens during transportation for slaughter
| Researcher: Cockram |
| Collaborators: Caffrey, Dohoo |
| Institution: University of PEI, AVC |
| Timeframe: 2008-2012 |
| Funding: Animal Welfare Foundation of Canada, Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre |
- Keywords: broiler mortality, transport, risk factors
As part of a larger project on animal transportation in Canada we are working with a poultry slaughterplant to identify risk factors for broiler mortality during transport. Graduate student Niamh Caffrey is conducting an epidemiological analysis of the slaughterplant data. It is anticipated that the results of this study will not only provide practical information to the slaughterplant on how to reduce losses during transportation, but will also provide novel and useful information relevant to the wider community.
